Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-12

Lunch was provided but the president
scarcely touched it, and busted himself until
3 D m. with his correspondence
At 8 O'Clock the reception committee an
nonnced that everything was in readiness for
the drive through the city, and in a few
moments the carriages were on their way
with the party aboard There were altogether
thirty carriages in the procession but before
many squares had been gone over, the crowds
and the inter-crossing of the vehicles from
cross streets broke up the procession into
fragments Then the carriages containing
the committee and members of the city
council were hurrieiy driven through side
thoroughfares in order TO catch up to the
head of the procession, but the effort was
useless, and in a very few moments the pro-
cession on wheels was scattered in all direc-
tons, only two carriages following that OF
the president
The route lay though the fine residence
portion of the city first and then through the
business streets, At all points crowds-great
and smal-were gathered to greet the dis
tinguished visitors, and the decorations were
protuse and beautiful Especially in the
business streets were the throngs dense and
enthusiastic The end of the Journey was
the hotel, and here there was multitude
which loudly clamored for speech, and the
president readily consented to crafty this
desire.
Arm in arm with his wife he stepped out
upon the balcony and was introduced by
Mayor Ames in a few appropriate words,
concluding as follows I'VE welcome him
as the metropolis, and of course st Paul
says the same thing We have have got him
into an awful fix. | know the good nature
of the people of this city so well that know
they will not only extend hearty welcome
to him, bnt will also raise their hats to his
amlable wife, who accompanies him"
As soon as the president and Mrs Cleve-
land appeared the cheers were deafening, and
when Mayor Ames had concluded they broke
out afresh and continued until the president
raised his hand to request silence. He was
evidently weary, but he overcame this and
proceeded to compliment the enterprise and
progress OF the city, and neatly got ont of
the fix Mayor Ames had spoken of by say
ing:
have lately seen little book entitled Mime
apolis and St Paul Compared, which deals de
moltshing blows to the pretenss OF the latter
named city and discredits the idea that any
phase feature the equal of this. | became "a
little confused by the facts and figures stated and
determined to both cities as the best means of
settling the question discussed with SO much spir
IT. have arrived at the conclusion that if
these two wOndrous cities are not satisfied with
their respective conditions of growth and great
ness all the rest of their amazed fellow country
men are. While the people of these rival places
are boisting figures TO determine which is the
greater. the rest of US are pointing to you both
the hest exemplifcations of what American pluck
and energy can accomplish.
He referred to the vastness of the country,
and wondered how much farther he would
have to go to reach the west" and closed
by saying that every American citizen should
be proud that his country could produce two
such cities as Minneapolis and st. Paul Al
most every sentence of the address was re-
ceived with applause, and at its conclusion
the president was compelled to three times
bow his Acknowledgements. There were loud
calls for Mrs, Cleveland, and, blushing like
rose, she was led forward by Mayor Ames.
Speech roared the crowd, but the first
lady Of the land shook her head, smiled and
bowed to the right and left, and then with
drew
Once again the visitors were escorted to
their carriages and escorted by four COM
panies Of the state militia were driven
through the crowded streets to the exposi-
ton. Upon its threshold Mrs. Cleveland was
reminded of the fact that year ago while in
the Adirondacks she had touched the lever
which set the machinery of the exposition in
motion for the first time, and laughingly
responded that she remembered the circum-
stance well, and that it was great work to
accomplish with so little exertion.
1t was rather laborious work for the tired
president and his wife to climb the stairs to
the top gallery of the big structure, where
the platform had been erected, but
they did not murmur, and Mrs
Cleveland was especially delighted when she
had reached her seat and looked down upon
the thousands of men and gaily dressed
women and children that packed the build
ing Mayor Ames introduced the president
In few words, and the chief magistrate,
after the ovation had subsidized, responded in q
very brief address, in which he took the ground
that practical work which built such cities as
Minneapolis was far better than the revival
OF sentiment which some people sighed for,
and concluded as follows: 1.-THE sentiment
that will insure our continued prosperity
will be found in the friendly competition
which shall induce the wheat and -four of
Minneapolis to struggle with the cotton of
Memphis and Charleston i'll the race for ma
tional advancement
This concluded the speechmaking. Once
more Mrs Cleveland was introduced and the
audience fairly went wild There was
rush toward the party, but it was quickly
steered into the art gallery and left the build
ing by side exit. The return to the hotel
was made slowly in consequence OF the dense
crowds, and the exuberant manner in which
the spirited horses responded to the cheer
ing,
Once indoors the party took another brief
rest Dinner was served at 6:3v, and an hour
later, under escort of the militia, the visitors
were driven to the station by wayof Nicollet
avenue, which was brilliantly illuminated 1t
seemed as though the entire population of the
city had massed itself on the thoroupbfare